Josie and The Pussycats is the Spinoff Riverdale Deserves

This RIVERDALE review contains spoilers.

Riverdale Flavour five Episode 15

"Our story is near iii young women bursting with talent."

When last we saw Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), she was in New York City trying to make her dreams come true on the ill-blighted (and gone-too-shortly) Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene . Ofttimes when characters are spun-off and their subsequent shows neglect, they vanish into the pop culture ether — The Ropers from Three'due south Visitor being the textbook case of this phenomenon. Only not and so for Josie. This latest episode debuts a new iteration of the character, i who has achieved her dreams but notwithstanding finds herself wanting more. Information technology is a incomparably more mature take on the previously underwritten graphic symbol, and i that allows Murray's considerable interim and musical abilities to shine.

In curt, it is the Josie that fans take always wanted to see.

But what proficient is the character without the backing of her Pussycats? Drummer Melody Valentine (Asha Bromfield) and multi-instrumentalist Valerie Dark-brown (Hayley Police) accept been estranged from Josie since she blew off the Pussycats for a solo career when they were in high school. Seven years later and the wounds are withal raw, fifty-fifty though Tune has since become a renowned author with motion-picture show rights optioned by Tyler Perry, and Valerie is a talented artist and actress.

When Josie returns to Riverdale to take stock following the sudden death of her begetter, she finds herself coming to terms with her past. More than that though, she has found her phonation in every sense of the word. She dismisses Mr. Order, the testify'southward large bad in a hilarious kiss off that sums upwardly many viewers' opinions on the often tiresome character. Better still, the episode allows her to go meta to discuss how Riverdale often sidelined the Josie character in her previous iteration on the series. "I didn't have much to say in onetime times," she plaintively declares, commenting on the problem that Riverdale had with diversity in its early seasons. She then accurately dismisses Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead not as onetime friends simply equally acquaintances. It'south a bold and surprising scene that takes responsibility for past sins that the serial committed, further illustrating that it is enlightened that it can practise ameliorate and has been attempting to do then.

After a steamy reunion with old flame Sugariness Pea (Jordan Connor), Josie begins the piece of work of reaching out to Valerie and Melody. It is here that the episode goes from nifty to an all-timer. The chemistry that Murray, Bromfield and Law possess is lightning in a bottle. As old injustices are aired and attempts to repair wounded hearts and egos are undertaken, these actresses embody the old friends they portray fully. Just this backstairs pilot, fortunately, has zero interest in having its women of color tear each other down. The characters candidly talk over their shared past, and brainstorm to repair the rift that will — if The Pussycats goes to serial — lead them to becoming the global superstars they are destined to exist.

Josie, Melody and Valerie are icons. They know information technology, and the earth will soon follow.

Inspired by her renewed friendship with her one time and future bandmates, Josie decides to practice a concert with the Pussycats that will heighten money to help reincorporate the town of Riverdale. It is a functioning that highlights each of the women's musical strengths, even if Josie does steal the spotlight for an emotional rendition of Nina Simone's "Stars." Despite existence cut short when Toni goes into labor, the concert is enough of a success for The Pussycats to concur to proceed the road together — playing in towns where Josie'southward late father wanted his ashes scattered. The women consider themselves to exist equals now, thus the "Josie and" is jettisoned from the band name. This even so being Riverdale, a friend of Josie'due south dad appears moments before she leaves town to tell her that her father may take been murdered in New Orleans, and that voodoo might be involved.

With this incredible/ridiculous plot development thrown at the states, the full prototype of what The Pussycats will be as a series comes into view: A mixture of Fame and xiii Ghosts of Scooby-Doo that celebrates these characters and their comic/drawing legacy in an unexpected way. (As an Archie comics historian even I was taken off guard by the concluding-minute introduction of the potential show's mystery bending, and my listen reels at the possibilities).

Hopefully sooner rather than later a series gild for The Pussycats will be announced. In that location is and so much potential hither to tell exciting, fun, music-packed stories featuring strong women of color that information technology feels like a surefire hit. "The Return of the Pussycats" is not merely the best episode of Riverdale this season, merely a perfect pilot episode. At that place desperately needs to be lots more than long tails and ears for hats in our futurity, for these are the Pussycats we've been waiting for.

Riverdale Rundown

While aught has been officially announced as of yet, it feels ridiculous for The CW to not practice a total series of The Pussycats , yes? This logo appearing at the end of the episode instead of the usual Riverdale bumper bodes well for things to come. Fingers crossed…
My guess is that this episode didn't have Alexandra and Josie cross paths due to their Katy Keene past, which had the characters begin equally enemies who were slowly forming a friendship before that series was cancelled. By not having them interact, the writers didn't accept to figure out where their relationship currently is — making this a narrative thread that The Pussycats could potentially pull on downwards the line.
The character of Alan Thousand. briefly appears every bit Melody'due south honey involvement, which indeed he is in the comics and fondly remembered 2001 movie.
Speaking of the Josie and the Pussycats movie, that movie'south ever-growing cult continues to delight me. Thanks to multiverses, there'south no reason why that version of these characters and the ones of The Pussycats can't co-exist in the same pop culture landscape.
Let'south give a special shoutout to Robin Givens, who not only reprises her role as Sierra McCoy here only also did a terrific job directing this installment.
Melody narrates this episode a la Jughead, except that her writing is vivid and full of promise, a sharp and intentional contrast to her brooding counterpoint.
If you didn't cheer when Josie and the Pussycats took the stage to their cartoon theme song, y'all are dead within.
"Entertainment Tomorrow" enters the Riverdale fake production lexicon in this episode (which also includes the returning chestnut "Vanity Flair").
Toni gives birth to a boy, Anthony.
Expect to see more virtually the franchising of Pop'south in upcoming restaurants, and Tabitha'due south oral communication about the importance of the Chok'lit Shoppe being a black-endemic eatery in a time when Riverdale had no other such establishments was i of the most powerful scenes this series has e'er done.
Information technology'due south worth noting that a franchise for real-life Archie restaurants did exist in the early 1970s. However the idea never really took off, and pictures of the 3 diners that were opened have never surfaced online.
What the hell was upwards with the Old Navy production placement in this episode, which felt like it was ripped from the Josie and the Pussycats moving-picture show, minus the irony.
Kevin'due south dancing during the Footling Shop of Horrors musical number was, unsurprisingly, everything.
Melody's book being named Summer Storm is a sly reference to actress Asha Bromfield having a newly released novel called Hurricane Summer that was released in May.
Josie uses the alias Ms. Newmar to bank check into hotels. Julie Newmar famously portrayed Catwoman on the Batman Television serial, which not only plays into Josie'southward feline motif, but also is yet another of the show's almost-abiding DC Comics references of tardily.
Mr. Lodge existence chosen a "fiddling bitch" was then unbelievably pleasing to watch. Josie is simply SO OVER Riverdale'south bullshit.
In a nice character moment, Cheryl immediately leaps into activeness to help deliver ex-lover Toni'south baby.
Dr. Curdle Jr. beingness a Josie and the Pussycats superfan is comedic brilliance (as is the fact that nobody trusts him enough to have him anywhere most Toni's commitment.